FontofPardonandNewLifeisastudyofthehistoricaldevelopmentandimpactofJohnCalvin’sdoctrineofbaptism,bothadult(orbeliever)baptismandinfantbaptism.DidCalvinintendtoteachakindofbaptismalforgivenessandregeneration,thatis,didhebelievethattheexternalsignofbaptismactuallyconveysthespiritualrealitiesitsignifies?IfbaptismdoesserveinsomewayasaninstrumentofdivinegraceforCalvin,whatthenaretherolesoftheWord,theHolySpirit,divineelection,andindividualfaith?Arespiritualblessingsconferredonlyinadult(believer)baptismoralsointhebaptismofinfants?DidCalvin’steachingonbaptismalefficacyremainconstantthroughouthislifetime,ordiditundergosignificantchange?WhatimpactdidithaveontheReformedconfessionaltraditionthatfollowedhim?LyleD.BiermaapproachesthesequestionsbyexaminingCalvin’swritingsonbaptismintheirentirety,proceedingchronologicallythroughCalvin’slifeandwritingsincludinghisInstitutes,commentariesontheBible,catechisms,polemicaltreatises,andconsensusdocuments.BiermaconcludesthatCalvinunderstoodbaptismasameansorinstrumentofbothassuranceandgrace.Hisviewunderwentsomechangeanddevelopmentoverthecourseofhislifebutnottotheextentthatsomeinthepasthavesuggested.TheoveralltrajectoryofhisbaptismaltheologywasoneofincreasingclarityandrefinementofbasicthemesalreadypresentinincipientformintheInstitutesof1536.
